Wednesday’s Headlines Come Not to Bury Caesar
Why is public transportation the only thing Donald Trump doesn't want to build?
By
Blake Aued
12:29 AM EDT on October 7, 2026
- Like a Roman emperor, President Trump is obsessed with all manner of monuments and other public buildings. Unlike Rome, though — which built 186,000 miles of roads throughout Europe— he seems entirely uninterested in public transportation, refusing to distribute grants or move projects forward. (WBUR)
- In fairness, the Trump administration is prepared to fund some passenger rail and bus rapid transit … but they plan to privilege communities with high marriage and birth rates. (Politico)
- Trump signed an executive order during a visit to Nebraska allowing everyone who drives a diesel vehicle to use tax-free fuel meant for farmers. But it won’t help lower prices much, because the real culprit is a lack of supply. (WRAL)
- Transit is often difficult for seniors to use at a time when many stop driving and need it the most. (The Conversation)
- Walkable cities are usually more enjoyable for drivers, too. (Streetsblog USA)
- Antonia Malchik ties the tactics AI companies are using to the ones used by the automobile industry to overcome opposition in the early 20th century. (Trespassing)
- New walking and biking projects in Seattle’s Pinehurst neighborhood can help health the scars left by I-5. (Seattle Bike Blog)
- Apparently nobody really knows when Maryland’s Purple Line will open. (Maryland Matters)
- Amtrak’s second daily train between Pittsburgh and New York City will launch Nov, 18. (Tribune-Review)
- A new California law lets Valley Transportation Authority employees move into affordable apartments built on VTA-owned land. (San Jose Spotlight)
- Some jerk in Nashville set up a device that screeches at people whenever they walk down the sidewalk in front of his house. (WKRN)
- Electric vehicle sales hit a record high in Europe, but have yet to put much of a dent in car-related emissions. (Transport & Environment)
- Asia’s new high-speed metros could represent a paradigm shift for urban rail because they’re fast enough to compete with highways. (The Transit Brief)
- At 200 miles, Japan’s longest walking trail connects six cities, rural villages, beaches, mountains and historic sites. (Euro News)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
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